year in review

December 31, 2008

Election. As reality TV goes, this one had the goods. Compelling, though the trainwreck factor would have been improved with more air time for the pregnant teen and Federlein like babydaddy. However that Joe guy picked up some of the slack in that regard. Would have liked to have seen the actual moose blood, that wasn't that easy to believe. Very uplifting, in a feel-good kind of way. B+RecessionEven more impossible to escape than Election, this is perhaps too heavy on the trainwreck, and the plotline is next to impossible to follow. Amusing Jim Kramer meltdowns can't keep this one entertaining for long. Comparisons to the Great Depression are completely unearned. Two and a half stars.

The Republican Party

The routine started off really iffy - for a while it looked like the meltdown of the Democratic party was going to steal the gold out from under it entirely. The ending though - four death spirals followed by a quad lutz - Worth the wait. 9.9

MinneapolisThis cold and inhospitable place screams "I just got out of an instituion" but that's kind of chic. Wear it on weekends, with arm warmers, and accessorize with string tote full of organic produce.

TV On The Radio - Dear ScienceSimultaneously overhyped and the only album you'll need in 2009. Six out of four stars.

WALKER ART CENTERWay too much whitespace, the loopy scripty bloggy looking details are going to be passe as of 2007, remains as frustrating as day 1 of the re-open. The only improvement to this space would be to make Thomas Hischorn's Cavemanman permanent and have him do the lobby. D for effort, not.